What’s the difference between an oak tree and an ash? A lady bug and an Asian lady beetle? Is that stream flowing near the trail safe splash in or full of pathogens?

Simply wondering about the natural world while wandering the trails of the Ozarks impelled many of the current volunteers with the Master Naturalists to learn more.

“I was an avid hiker and camper,” said Steve Sampers of the Northwest Arkansas Master Naturalists. “One day out camping I realized how little I knew about the plants [and] trees all around me and challenged myself to know more.”

Sampers joined more than 30 others interested in becoming master naturalists at Hobbs State Park in January of 2009 to undergo the initial training program. His wife Emily was among the same group.

“I have always loved nature and being outdoors, but after I spent 12 years volunteering at the Tanyard Creek Nature Trail in Bella Vista I realized I still had a lot to learn about the diversity of the state of Arkansas,” said Emily Sampers. “Where best to learn about all the ‘ologies’ (biology, ornithology, geology, etc.) than the master naturalists organization?”

Emily helped establish the Wildlife Habitat Project in 2011 to create nesting boxes for birds, the first citizen science project — where members of the public participate in scientific research — by the master naturalists, she said.

NWA Master Naturalists also partners with local agencies like the Illinois River Watershed Alliance, Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission and Botanical Garden of the Ozarks.

The local chapter established a certified firefly sanctuary at Coler Mountain Bike Preserve. It also issues grants to other similarly focused groups like Northsong Wildlife Bird Rehabilitation and the Diana Project to support and protect Arkansas’s state butterfly.

Master naturalists also lead workshops or give presentations to civic or school groups. Locally, many are interested in establishing habitats close to home.

An avid gardener, Emily and Steve attempted to plant a prairie on their property after learning about the importance of native plants and insects.

“The chapter’s native plant program provides a wonderful source of native plants for home owners to improve the natural habitat in their own yards,” said Steve. He said that educating others “on the importance of establishing a dynamic back yard habitat” hospitable to birds, butterflies and pollinators has been among his favorite experiences in his 16 years of volunteering.

“I have enjoyed helping the public become more aware of the environment around them and how they can have a positive impact and become better stewards of the local environment they live in,” said Steve.

EDUCATED STEWARDS

“Every single time someone, especially a young person, NOTICES something walking along a trail and is intrigued enough to ask questions, my heart quickens!” enthused Care Butler via email.

“It challenges me not to respond with the short answer, such as the name of a plant, but rather to engage with them about the larger ecosystem interactions … and ways humans impact and care for these regional natural areas.”

Butler became a Master Naturalist in Training (NiT) in 2015 and has volunteered with the organization for 10 years. During her many hours of volunteer work she’s also worked on the Stream Smart Team to track the water quality of streams and rivers entering the Beaver Lake Reservoir, the source of drinking water for the four largest cities in Northwest Arkansas.

“Now I actually see value in insect life near water, knowing how fish, amphibians, birds, bats and other wildlife depend on them,” she said.

There are three levels for Arkansas Master Naturalists: Naturalists In Training (NiT), Master Naturalists and Certified Master Naturalists. NiTs are required 40 hours of lecture, field and lab work meant to give the new recruits a basic understanding of the natural world. Upon graduation, they become master naturalists. They must complete eight hours of continuing education and 40 hours of volunteer work while keeping current on group dues to maintain certification.

Longtime master naturalists create and lead dozens of education programs for the NiTs and others in the group on topics relevant to the work they are doing.

Kevin Otterman, who is among the latest crop of NiTs getting ready to graduate May 18, said educational topics may range from clouds to trees to flowers, invasive species, fireflies, butterflies and so much more.

“There are so many others at local parks, bird sanctuaries, educators (university and secondary) that have offered their time and expertise and also led presentations,” he said. “It’s really pretty amazing to see so many people across diverse outdoor interests offering their time to make us better stewards of our lands.”

Otterman is a lifelong outdoorsy-type. As a kid he “spent more time outdoors in the fields and woods than inside the home,” he says, and was collecting, tagging and tracking turtles in Kansas when he was just 8 years old. As an adult, he’s been a volunteer and coordinator for nearly 35 years. He’s worked with Corps of Engineers and state parks in Kansas, Missouri and Arkansas and several others on hiking, biking and equine trails.

“I have a passion for all things outdoors, but much of my adult life has been focused on trails, not the flora, fauna and ecosystems that those trails traverse. I wanted to expand my knowledge and understanding of this outdoor world that I work and live in. And I wanted to be in a circle of like-minded people who also share such passions.”

After training, he said, he’s surprisingly more interested in songbirds than ever before because of learning so much about them.

GIVING BACK

“The master naturalists’ training is known to be comprehensive and maybe a little intense,” admitted Miranda Kohout, president of the Northwest Arkansas Master Naturalists, but for her “it sounded like a great way to really dive in and learn everything I could, and then give something back.”

“I moved to Arkansas with my husband 10 years ago, and the natural beauty of the state immediately floored me. I started hiking several times a week, and I had to know what everything was — birds, flowers, mushrooms, trees. The biodiversity of the Ozarks is astonishing,” she said.

Kohout said she enjoys trail maintenance, like Otterman, especially weeding and picking up litter.

“Any time I’m on a trail and I notice that it’s not overgrown or I don’t see beer cans, I appreciate that. I like to provide that experience for others. It’s an indirect way of fostering an appreciation for nature. If people have a good experience on a hike or at the river, it gains a place in their hearts, and they’ll want to protect it.”

She’s worked on the rain garden at the Lake Springdale Trailhead for three years, she added, she said learning from the different successes and failures has been rewarding.

“The public notices it, too. At least one person always stops on their way to or from the parking lot to say how nice the garden looks and to ask about the project. Providing a beautiful space for the community to enjoy is very satisfying, and helping people see what native plants can do is a great way to spread the word by showing, not just telling.”

“Opportunities to volunteer are endless, and a depth of respect for natural resources we all rely on only deepens each time we work on a project,” said Butler.

“I have just recently become aware of the habitat needs for regional species of fireflies through NWAMN volunteerism, and have begun chats with my neighbors about steps we can make in our yards to help.”

Butler added she’s continually surprised by both the enthusiasm and passion from the volunteers.

“I learn so much from each of them, and we fuel one another, keeping ever in front of us the opportunities to contribute to ecosystem health and reclamation in a growing region.”